Hackworth's debut looms, Perlaza's might, too

CHESTER -- For the Union, there's no time to ease in the new guy. They know it. So does the new guy.

The Union, who at midweek fired their manager and hired his assistant on an interim basis, host Eastern Conference-leading D.C. United tonight (7 o'clock) at PPL Park. And the scenario facing the Union is probably as daunting as John Hackworth's first turn as the top man.

"I'm going to steal one of (Union CEO Nick Sakiewicz's) lines: It's not my first rodeo," Hackworth said earlier this week, of his debut as Union manager. "I was a college coach for nine years. I was a head coach in college for four. I was a head coach with the national team for over four years. Even here, I've been the head coach numerous times (due to red-card suspensions).

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"I don't think any of that is going to be different. I don't think this should be about John Hackworth as the focal point of this team and this organization. I'm very honored to be in this position, but at the same time it should be about this team, our players, our fans and this organization, putting all these things first."

So if Hackworth, who replaced Peter Nowak, isn't making this match about himself, that's OK ... there are plenty of additional subplots to go around.

The Union (2-7-2, 8 points), ninth in the East, haven't won since April 21. Going 0-4-1 in that span, they'll be without Lio Pajoy, one of their leading scorers, who will serve a one-game suspension for a reckless tackle last month against Toronto FC.

Then there's the "other" new guy, the one from whom Hackworth stole some of the spotlight. Jorge Perlaza, the forward the Union acquired from Portland, is likely to make his debut in a Union kit. The Union, MLS' lowest-scoring side, are hopeful Perlaza can generate something on the offensive end, but Hackworth didn't sound convinced that Perlaza was the man to fill Pajoy's shoes tonight.

"We got to see (Perlaza) for the first time earlier this week," said Hackworth, referring to a Tuesday friendly in Harrisburg. "We're going to go through the next two days and see if he's the best option for us to put on the field. If he is, he'll get that opportunity, but there are some other guys in there that certainly are fighting for that spot."

As for other guys coming and going in the Union's lineup, Gabriel Gomez and Porfirio Lopez are back from international duty with their respective national teams, and Hackworth said Roger Torres, who has returned to the pitch following knee surgery, might not be fully ready to play.

Hackworth could use everyone at his disposal against D.C. United (8-4-3, 27 points), which has lost twice in its last 13 matches. D.C.'s leading scorer Maicon Santos, a sixth-year Brazilian striker, has nearly as many goals scored (seven) as the Union collectively (eight).

At least Hackworth should have starting goalkeeper Zac MacMath at the ready. MacMath, who has dealt with concussion symptoms off and on, played Tuesday in the friendly and is expected to suit up.

Hackworth knows what's at stake. This match with D.C. could represent a turning point in a season that largely has headed in the wrong direction since the season opener.

"It's really tough. This situation in particular - you're coming in a third of the way through the season, you're ninth in your conference right now and it doesn't give you a lot of latitude to experiment," Hackworth said. "We're going to have to stick with the best lineup as possible, and I hope that guys are going to fight and try to earn that opportunity. ... We are a good team. I've said that all along. We have to hope we come together."